viernes, 18 de mayo de 2012

Education Minister Grace Portolesi says it's
important for school principals to communicate with students and
parents. Picture: Mark Brake

PRINCIPALS will be encouraged to blog, tweet and use a school Facebook page to communicate with parents and the local community.
The Education Department is developing a social media policy,
recognising the usefulness of social media in education and providing
guidance on safeguards that should be in place for staff and students.
The
initiative is part of a broader strategy to improve leadership in
public education to be announced today by Education Minister Grace
Portolesi in the third policy direction discussion paper.
New
technologies present many opportunities to assist schools and preschools
to stay in touch with their communities and with each other, the paper
stated.
"Social media has become a part of our lives and gives
schools an opportunity to communicate with parents and the wider
community," Ms Portolesi said.

"Some schools already use Facebook and blogs as an opportunity to
communicate directly with their community and this is something we could
see extended."
SA Primary Principals Association president Steve
Portlock said greater use of social media would be a challenge for
principals but was a good thing.
"In the past we have used very
effective forms of communication through paper newsletters but the world
has changed and it's important principals change with that and use
every possible avenue to connect with parents," he said.
Other measures outlined in the discussion paper include:A NEW
SA Institute for Educational Leadership that will provide leaders with
professional development programs, opportunities to collaborate and help
develop postgraduate qualifications.INCREASING staff
in schools with major skills in areas such as finance, administration
and management and this will allow leaders to focus on activities that
directly improve the quality of education.EARLY identification and development of potential leaders and new coaching and mentoring programs.
Ms
Portolesi said the state's teaching profession faced a major challenge
as many experienced people retire over the next five years so fostering
strong leadership was important for the future.
"We have many
outstanding leaders in public education, and we need to build on their
achievements to ensure our future leaders know what's expected of them
and have the skills, qualities and support to lead their school
communities in making a lasting difference for every child," she said.